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The Hiker
In the wilderness it’s kill or be killed…
MISSING
When Gemma Kline is reported missing after setting off on a solo hike in the remote Pennines, her sister, Sarah, is dumbfounded. How can someone disappear without a trace?
PRESUMED
Travelling to the isolated town where Gemma was last seen, Sarah discovers it’s not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances. As she digs deeper, it quickly becomes apparent that neither disappearance is what it first seems – especially when unwelcoming locals share chilling tales about what’s really lurking on the moors…
MURDERED
Whatever has happened to her sister, one thing is clear: this town has secrets someone would kill to keep. But even on the fells, nothing stays buried forever…
A gripping and atmospheric crime thriller set in one of the most remote corners of the British wilderness, perfect for fans of Chris Hammer, Jane Harper and Michael Connelly.
MISSING
When Gemma Kline is reported missing after setting off on a solo hike in the remote Pennines, her sister, Sarah, is dumbfounded. How can someone disappear without a trace?
PRESUMED
Travelling to the isolated town where Gemma was last seen, Sarah discovers it’s not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances. As she digs deeper, it quickly becomes apparent that neither disappearance is what it first seems – especially when unwelcoming locals share chilling tales about what’s really lurking on the moors…
MURDERED
Whatever has happened to her sister, one thing is clear: this town has secrets someone would kill to keep. But even on the fells, nothing stays buried forever…
A gripping and atmospheric crime thriller set in one of the most remote corners of the British wilderness, perfect for fans of Chris Hammer, Jane Harper and Michael Connelly.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2022
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453 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
June 24, 2022
Sisters, Sarah and Gemma Kline lead completely different lifestyles. Added to that, they no longer have contact after a very heated argument about money, following the death of their alcoholic mother.
Some years later, Sarah is contacted by the police after Gemma goes missing. Sarah is a successful lawyer and is due to get married in a week’s time, and she’d actually offered Gemma an olive branch in the form of a wedding invitation. However, wedding or not, Sarah decides to travel to the last known place that Gemma was seen - a remote village up in the Pennines in the North of England.
As Sarah familiarises herself with the local characters and the misty, almost eerie moorland and forests surrounding the village, she finds herself becoming suspicious about certain characters, some of whom are openly hostile, and appear to know more than they’re prepared to reveal. There are also chilling tales of a huge cat prowling the forest, adding to the already foreboding atmosphere of the place.
Told from the POV of both sisters, ‘The Hiker’ benefits from a good storyline, aided by some very interesting characters. It also came with a twist that I never saw coming, followed nicely by a heart pounding conclusion. Very enjoyable.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Some years later, Sarah is contacted by the police after Gemma goes missing. Sarah is a successful lawyer and is due to get married in a week’s time, and she’d actually offered Gemma an olive branch in the form of a wedding invitation. However, wedding or not, Sarah decides to travel to the last known place that Gemma was seen - a remote village up in the Pennines in the North of England.
As Sarah familiarises herself with the local characters and the misty, almost eerie moorland and forests surrounding the village, she finds herself becoming suspicious about certain characters, some of whom are openly hostile, and appear to know more than they’re prepared to reveal. There are also chilling tales of a huge cat prowling the forest, adding to the already foreboding atmosphere of the place.
Told from the POV of both sisters, ‘The Hiker’ benefits from a good storyline, aided by some very interesting characters. It also came with a twist that I never saw coming, followed nicely by a heart pounding conclusion. Very enjoyable.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
August 20, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Lawyer Sarah and her sister Gemma are estranged following the death of their mother. When Gemma goes missing the police contact Sarah and it’s all very strange and mysterious. Is a burning car with a body inside it connected? In addition, Sarah receives a postcard from Gemma posted in the Pennine village of Hartsbridge, close to where the car burnt out. Sarah decides to go north to County Durham to see if she can locate Gemma, much to her fiancé Doug’s disapproval. Does Gemma‘s disappearance link in any way to that of 15 year old Alice Brocklehurst 16 years ago also from Hartsbridge??
I really like the alternating points of view of Sarah and Gemma, their lives could not be more different and there is a stark contrast. At times though this does cause some uneven pacing which is probably inevitable due to the disparity of the sisters lives.
The puzzle of Gemma and her disappearance amplifies and becomes more and more intriguing especially because of the attitudes of some of the locals who are distinctly unfriendly to say the least. All the characterisation is good and some of their actions are very questionable. You do want to yell at a few of them!
One of the best features of the book is the excellent atmosphere the author creates utilising the remoteness of the Co Durham location, the moorland and forested areas with properties on the periphery of the village adding an aura of mystery which combines well with local tales and myths. This generates some spookiness, it’s creepy in places raising the hairs on the back of your neck.
I’m not sure what to make of the ending, I think it is one that will divide opinion. It’s certainly a bit weird, definitely strange but I will say it’s very different and it does fit in with the clues as the plot progresses so isn’t left field!
Overall, this is an entertaining easy read in a great setting.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review
Lawyer Sarah and her sister Gemma are estranged following the death of their mother. When Gemma goes missing the police contact Sarah and it’s all very strange and mysterious. Is a burning car with a body inside it connected? In addition, Sarah receives a postcard from Gemma posted in the Pennine village of Hartsbridge, close to where the car burnt out. Sarah decides to go north to County Durham to see if she can locate Gemma, much to her fiancé Doug’s disapproval. Does Gemma‘s disappearance link in any way to that of 15 year old Alice Brocklehurst 16 years ago also from Hartsbridge??
I really like the alternating points of view of Sarah and Gemma, their lives could not be more different and there is a stark contrast. At times though this does cause some uneven pacing which is probably inevitable due to the disparity of the sisters lives.
The puzzle of Gemma and her disappearance amplifies and becomes more and more intriguing especially because of the attitudes of some of the locals who are distinctly unfriendly to say the least. All the characterisation is good and some of their actions are very questionable. You do want to yell at a few of them!
One of the best features of the book is the excellent atmosphere the author creates utilising the remoteness of the Co Durham location, the moorland and forested areas with properties on the periphery of the village adding an aura of mystery which combines well with local tales and myths. This generates some spookiness, it’s creepy in places raising the hairs on the back of your neck.
I’m not sure what to make of the ending, I think it is one that will divide opinion. It’s certainly a bit weird, definitely strange but I will say it’s very different and it does fit in with the clues as the plot progresses so isn’t left field!
Overall, this is an entertaining easy read in a great setting.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review
Read
January 12, 2025DNF story about two sisters Sarah & Gemma who have been estranged for 5 years, Sarah is a lawyer who gets a visit from the police about Gemma’s boyfriend Mark Lackey who’s body has been found in his car but Gemma is nowhere to be found.
Go forward the story goes back to when Mark & Gemma are together they owe money to cut it short they decide to deal with drug dealers … uggh not my thing.
Go forward the story goes back to when Mark & Gemma are together they owe money to cut it short they decide to deal with drug dealers … uggh not my thing.
January 8, 2026
3.5⭐
Genre ~ crime thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ November 10, 2022
Publisher ~ Avon Books
Est Page Count ~ 394 (p+ 57 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 11 minutes
Narrator ~ Camilla Rockley
POV ~ dual 1st (Sarah) & 3rd (Gemma)
Featuring ~ missing sister, murder
Estranged sisters, Sarah & Gemma, haven't spoken in 5 years, since their mothers funeral, but Sarah is on the hunt for answers when she learns Gemma is missing after her long time boyfriend has turned up dead.
But why is Gemma seemingly on the run. Turns out her and the bf are struggling financially and Mark has concocted a plan to get them out of the hole in a remote area. A place that gives off some creepy vibes.
Sarah showed just how much bygones can be bygones when there's potential danger involved. She just wouldn't give up at all and investigated every possible lead thoroughly, even more than the cops it seemed.
Side note ~ wondering why something had to happen with Sarah's fiancé, Doug, . Not sure what it brought to the story really. It made no sense.
Overall, there were some heart pounding moments, especially at the end. I found it to be steadily paced and it had me engaged with how the story would unfold. I hadn't seen a twist coming, so that's always nice. Loved the happily ever after for the senior dog, Chappy.
✔️ed another old one off the list.
I was excited to find an audio copy on Hoopla, so I paired it with the e-book that's been on my kindle since 2022 to finally get it done.
Narration notes:
She did a fine job, but this would have benefited from 2 narrators being both leads are female.
Genre ~ crime thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ November 10, 2022
Publisher ~ Avon Books
Est Page Count ~ 394 (p+ 57 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 11 minutes
Narrator ~ Camilla Rockley
POV ~ dual 1st (Sarah) & 3rd (Gemma)
Featuring ~ missing sister, murder
Estranged sisters, Sarah & Gemma, haven't spoken in 5 years, since their mothers funeral, but Sarah is on the hunt for answers when she learns Gemma is missing after her long time boyfriend has turned up dead.
But why is Gemma seemingly on the run. Turns out her and the bf are struggling financially and Mark has concocted a plan to get them out of the hole in a remote area. A place that gives off some creepy vibes.
Sarah showed just how much bygones can be bygones when there's potential danger involved. She just wouldn't give up at all and investigated every possible lead thoroughly, even more than the cops it seemed.
Side note ~ wondering why something had to happen with Sarah's fiancé, Doug, . Not sure what it brought to the story really. It made no sense.
Overall, there were some heart pounding moments, especially at the end. I found it to be steadily paced and it had me engaged with how the story would unfold. I hadn't seen a twist coming, so that's always nice. Loved the happily ever after for the senior dog, Chappy.
✔️ed another old one off the list.
I was excited to find an audio copy on Hoopla, so I paired it with the e-book that's been on my kindle since 2022 to finally get it done.
Narration notes:
She did a fine job, but this would have benefited from 2 narrators being both leads are female.
August 9, 2022
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: November 10, 2022
Sarah and her sister, Gemma, haven’t been in touch for years, since the death of their mother. Now, Sarah is a divorce lawyer and planning her wedding and Gemma is spending time with bad company and living paycheck to paycheck. Just a week before Sarah’s wedding she gets word that Gemma has gone missing, completely disappeared from a small secluded community, and the man she was with has been found dead. When Sarah travels to the remote Pennines, she discovers that Gemma is not the first young girl to go missing from the area and that some of the townspeople believe a creature from a local urban legend might be behind the disappearances.
M.J. Ford’s DS Josie Masters novels (three in all), set Ford’s place as a writer of tantalizing and suspenseful mystery novels. His newest foray, “The Hiker” is an independent feature, with no series attached, and it’s just as gripping and pulse-pounding as his police procedurals, if not more so.
“The Hiker” focuses on the estranged relationship of the sisters, while throwing in some illegal drug growing and dealing, some police corruption, a small-town close-knit town willing to keep each other’s secrets, oh and a case of clinical lycanthropy. There is definitely no shortage of action in this one, and it plays out like a Hollywood movie, with the cliff-hangers and deadly twists and turns.
There are quite a few characters in this novel (beyond the sisters of course, there’s their individual partners, a few of their friends or colleagues, and an entire community) so it can be a struggle to keep them organized. But the characters are all so uniquely eccentric that they go well beyond serving their role as potential suspects adding a little bit of humour and entertainment to the plot.
Ford makes his way toward one possible ending, and then the train goes off the tracks as he veers sharply toward another, and does it so smoothly the reader doesn’t see it coming. I guessed at the ending throughout the novel and, when it came, I was only a little off the mark. Without giving too much away, I appreciated Ford’s creative ‘lycanthropy’ spin, and he managed to add it in such a way without making the plot appear goofy or ludicrous.
“The Hiker” will have you think twice about taking that trip through the countryside, or that lone walk through the woods and Ford has weaved a topsy-turvy tale that will leave you wanting more.
Expected publication date: November 10, 2022
Sarah and her sister, Gemma, haven’t been in touch for years, since the death of their mother. Now, Sarah is a divorce lawyer and planning her wedding and Gemma is spending time with bad company and living paycheck to paycheck. Just a week before Sarah’s wedding she gets word that Gemma has gone missing, completely disappeared from a small secluded community, and the man she was with has been found dead. When Sarah travels to the remote Pennines, she discovers that Gemma is not the first young girl to go missing from the area and that some of the townspeople believe a creature from a local urban legend might be behind the disappearances.
M.J. Ford’s DS Josie Masters novels (three in all), set Ford’s place as a writer of tantalizing and suspenseful mystery novels. His newest foray, “The Hiker” is an independent feature, with no series attached, and it’s just as gripping and pulse-pounding as his police procedurals, if not more so.
“The Hiker” focuses on the estranged relationship of the sisters, while throwing in some illegal drug growing and dealing, some police corruption, a small-town close-knit town willing to keep each other’s secrets, oh and a case of clinical lycanthropy. There is definitely no shortage of action in this one, and it plays out like a Hollywood movie, with the cliff-hangers and deadly twists and turns.
There are quite a few characters in this novel (beyond the sisters of course, there’s their individual partners, a few of their friends or colleagues, and an entire community) so it can be a struggle to keep them organized. But the characters are all so uniquely eccentric that they go well beyond serving their role as potential suspects adding a little bit of humour and entertainment to the plot.
Ford makes his way toward one possible ending, and then the train goes off the tracks as he veers sharply toward another, and does it so smoothly the reader doesn’t see it coming. I guessed at the ending throughout the novel and, when it came, I was only a little off the mark. Without giving too much away, I appreciated Ford’s creative ‘lycanthropy’ spin, and he managed to add it in such a way without making the plot appear goofy or ludicrous.
“The Hiker” will have you think twice about taking that trip through the countryside, or that lone walk through the woods and Ford has weaved a topsy-turvy tale that will leave you wanting more.
December 12, 2022
The Hiker has it all – suspense, mystery, and tension. A small-town mystery with the nostalgia of midsummer murders or Jonathan Creek. Not one word is wasted.
Well strike me down – The Hiker is a story that you will not want to read in the darkened shadows of the countryside. It creeps into the mind’s darkest recesses and makes its home; it lays down roots and leaves you searching for the answers.
The prologue set the scene perfectly – a sense of mystery and fear that creeps into the reader’s peripheral vision. I held my breath and attempted to count to ten, I have to say I found it difficult. My body resembled a steel rod, I was wrought with tension, and I was a coiled spring ready to jump. I knew something was going to happen but the where and when was questionable. This is one story in which you find yourself racing to the end to discover the answers to the deep-seated questions that spring up from the actions of questionable characters.
Sarah lives an enchanted life – engaged to her fiancé, Doug, and her wedding is just around the corner. She has a fulfilling career as a divorce lawyer, predominately helping women get their own back on husbands that toss them aside. It hasn’t always been that way, she had a very difficult childhood, with an alcoholic mother and a difficult relationship with her sister – Gemma. She was forced into a parental role, caring for her younger sister, cooking, cleaning, and helping her cross the road, it wasn’t easy and as time passed the two sisters grew apart and the killer blow came at their mother’s wake. She hasn’t heard from Gemma since, until now, when it appears she has gone missing in a small town far from home.
Gemma’s life has been anything but a bed of roses. Her life after departing ways from Sarah has been difficult. She has a job as a care assistant in a residential home for the elderly. Her partner, Mark has got them into a bit of financial difficulty, and they owe money for multiple months of missed rent arrears. They are desperate, they don’t have the financial stability that Sarah has. Mark has the ploy to blackmail some questionable people up north, Gemma has her reservations, but Mark assures her it’s a foolproof plan.
Now you might think you know where this story is going to lead, we’ve seen this path before, rest assured this path is littered with booby traps and red herrings. It’s not a simple case of bad vs good, no, The Hiker is more complex than that – it’s two different sets of circumstances colliding. Gemma felt more fleshed out than Sarah but the discovery of something catastrophic in her personal life added a new layer to her character. Life experiences were explored, and we had the backgrounds of both protagonists it was down to the reader to decide just how black and white they both were or whether there were elements of gray thrown in for good measure.
Well strike me down – The Hiker is a story that you will not want to read in the darkened shadows of the countryside. It creeps into the mind’s darkest recesses and makes its home; it lays down roots and leaves you searching for the answers.
The prologue set the scene perfectly – a sense of mystery and fear that creeps into the reader’s peripheral vision. I held my breath and attempted to count to ten, I have to say I found it difficult. My body resembled a steel rod, I was wrought with tension, and I was a coiled spring ready to jump. I knew something was going to happen but the where and when was questionable. This is one story in which you find yourself racing to the end to discover the answers to the deep-seated questions that spring up from the actions of questionable characters.
Sarah lives an enchanted life – engaged to her fiancé, Doug, and her wedding is just around the corner. She has a fulfilling career as a divorce lawyer, predominately helping women get their own back on husbands that toss them aside. It hasn’t always been that way, she had a very difficult childhood, with an alcoholic mother and a difficult relationship with her sister – Gemma. She was forced into a parental role, caring for her younger sister, cooking, cleaning, and helping her cross the road, it wasn’t easy and as time passed the two sisters grew apart and the killer blow came at their mother’s wake. She hasn’t heard from Gemma since, until now, when it appears she has gone missing in a small town far from home.
Gemma’s life has been anything but a bed of roses. Her life after departing ways from Sarah has been difficult. She has a job as a care assistant in a residential home for the elderly. Her partner, Mark has got them into a bit of financial difficulty, and they owe money for multiple months of missed rent arrears. They are desperate, they don’t have the financial stability that Sarah has. Mark has the ploy to blackmail some questionable people up north, Gemma has her reservations, but Mark assures her it’s a foolproof plan.
Now you might think you know where this story is going to lead, we’ve seen this path before, rest assured this path is littered with booby traps and red herrings. It’s not a simple case of bad vs good, no, The Hiker is more complex than that – it’s two different sets of circumstances colliding. Gemma felt more fleshed out than Sarah but the discovery of something catastrophic in her personal life added a new layer to her character. Life experiences were explored, and we had the backgrounds of both protagonists it was down to the reader to decide just how black and white they both were or whether there were elements of gray thrown in for good measure.
November 7, 2022
Gemma is living with her boyfriend Mark and they are barely scraping by when one day Mark tells Gemma he knows of a way to get his hands on a lot of money real easy. The only thing they have to do is travel to a remote village and confront some people with what he (and now Gemma too) knows about their illegal activities. Gemma has sincere doubts but despite Mark not being the brightest, and not being the ideal partner, she loves him and agrees to go with him. And then they disappear…
Sarah is a successful lawyer who’s going to get married to her equally successful fiancée the following week. When she hears about the disappearance of Gemma, she decides to follow in her tracks because although they’ve not been in regular contact over the years, she cannot think about a wedding without having her sister there.
We follow Gemma and Sarah both, because the story is being told from their respective points of view. They both end up in a somewhat creepy little village, where a couple of years ago a young girl disappeared. She was never found again and some of the villagers are certain this is what happened to Gemma too. There is talk about strange beasts in the forest and strange rituals being held in the big house that once dominated the village. What is folklore, what is true and above all: will Gemma share the fate of the first girl that went missing?
A nice enough book but sadly not as gripping and atmospheric as promised. The characters stayed mostly quite flat and I didn’t notice any real surprises, including the ending. The writing was good and with more suspense and better developed characters the book would have earned more stars.
Thanks to Netgally and Avon for this review copy.
Sarah is a successful lawyer who’s going to get married to her equally successful fiancée the following week. When she hears about the disappearance of Gemma, she decides to follow in her tracks because although they’ve not been in regular contact over the years, she cannot think about a wedding without having her sister there.
We follow Gemma and Sarah both, because the story is being told from their respective points of view. They both end up in a somewhat creepy little village, where a couple of years ago a young girl disappeared. She was never found again and some of the villagers are certain this is what happened to Gemma too. There is talk about strange beasts in the forest and strange rituals being held in the big house that once dominated the village. What is folklore, what is true and above all: will Gemma share the fate of the first girl that went missing?
A nice enough book but sadly not as gripping and atmospheric as promised. The characters stayed mostly quite flat and I didn’t notice any real surprises, including the ending. The writing was good and with more suspense and better developed characters the book would have earned more stars.
Thanks to Netgally and Avon for this review copy.
November 4, 2022
It’s been five years since Sarah last had contact with her sister Gemma. In all that time, Sarah has had to take care of their alcoholic mother. A duty that Sarah resented. But Sarah had the means. Sarah was a successful divorce attorney, while Gemma was a struggling memory caregiver whose boyfriend Mark had loser written all over him.
Tragedy then strikes when Sarah and Gemma’s mom passes away. But tensions between the sisters still remained taut, which curtailed any hopes of Gemma getting any funds from their mother’s estate. Funding that Gemma so desperately needed to stay afloat and avoid being kicked to the streets.
As a last ditch effort to get the money for overdue rents and to survive, Mark concocts a plan that could lead to immediate funding and get he and Gemma off to a fresh start. It was a plan that would leave him dead and Gemma missing without a trace.
The Hiker was a decent read. Not quite the adrenaline filled mystery, but more of an atmospheric read.
The characters aren’t that memorable and I didn’t think that any of them were developed enough to really get a flavor for their respective personalities. Though I do think that Sarah and Gemma were a little more developed than the rest of the cast.
The plot is revealed in layers as the story unfolds from Sarah’s and Gemma’s point of view. A lot of back and forth between Sarah and Gemma, but I think that it was the best way to uncover the truth.
Since the events take place in the UK, I did stumble somewhat with the dialect and terminology, i.e., boot, nick, cuppa…Other than that, I found The Hiker to be a pretty good mystery. Three likable stars.
I received a digital review copy from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Tragedy then strikes when Sarah and Gemma’s mom passes away. But tensions between the sisters still remained taut, which curtailed any hopes of Gemma getting any funds from their mother’s estate. Funding that Gemma so desperately needed to stay afloat and avoid being kicked to the streets.
As a last ditch effort to get the money for overdue rents and to survive, Mark concocts a plan that could lead to immediate funding and get he and Gemma off to a fresh start. It was a plan that would leave him dead and Gemma missing without a trace.
The Hiker was a decent read. Not quite the adrenaline filled mystery, but more of an atmospheric read.
The characters aren’t that memorable and I didn’t think that any of them were developed enough to really get a flavor for their respective personalities. Though I do think that Sarah and Gemma were a little more developed than the rest of the cast.
The plot is revealed in layers as the story unfolds from Sarah’s and Gemma’s point of view. A lot of back and forth between Sarah and Gemma, but I think that it was the best way to uncover the truth.
Since the events take place in the UK, I did stumble somewhat with the dialect and terminology, i.e., boot, nick, cuppa…Other than that, I found The Hiker to be a pretty good mystery. Three likable stars.
I received a digital review copy from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 9, 2022
I enjoyed this one. The dual POV’s were great. It reenforced the differences between the sisters. The ominous presence of the mountain lion lurking in the woods was creepy. The twist was good and so was the ending. Not a bad read.
Sisters Gemma and Sarah were as different as night and day. As a result of a huge fight over money following the death of their mother, they haven’t spoken since.
Some time later Sarah is a lawyer and in the middle of planning a wedding when she gets a phone call from the police stating that Gemma is missing.
She heads to the town where her sister was last seen and begins talking to the locals. Sarah becomes suspicious of the towns people and believes they know more than they are saying.
The Hiker is available November 10,2022.
Thank you to netgalley and Avon books for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Sisters Gemma and Sarah were as different as night and day. As a result of a huge fight over money following the death of their mother, they haven’t spoken since.
Some time later Sarah is a lawyer and in the middle of planning a wedding when she gets a phone call from the police stating that Gemma is missing.
She heads to the town where her sister was last seen and begins talking to the locals. Sarah becomes suspicious of the towns people and believes they know more than they are saying.
The Hiker is available November 10,2022.
Thank you to netgalley and Avon books for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2022
Wow, what a journey. Estranged sisters, Sarah (successful lawyer, lovely house, soon to be married - everything going well) and Gemma (polar opposite, lives paycheque to paycheque, in debt, her partner, Mark, veers on criminality) both alternate chapters in this thriller set in the English countryside.
Sarah is resigned to Gemma not attending her wedding, until a mysterious postcard sent from a small country village sends her on a journey to check all is well with her sister. There’s been an accident, Mark is dead, and Gemma is missing. Believing the police aren’t taking this seriously, Sarah takes investigations into her own hands, meeting an assortment of Local People from the Local Village - there’s nothing for you here! The sisters’ chapters, Gemma’s in the recent past and Sarah’s as she’s investigating, converge to an action packed finale, with a twist I didn’t see coming.
This is a tightly written story, of mysterious people who keep to themselves, country myths, sisterhood, the true face of people, and the solving of a decades old mystery.
With thanks to NetGalley, ARC Books, and the author for an advance peek, and the knowledge I’ll never go hiking on the moors.
Sarah is resigned to Gemma not attending her wedding, until a mysterious postcard sent from a small country village sends her on a journey to check all is well with her sister. There’s been an accident, Mark is dead, and Gemma is missing. Believing the police aren’t taking this seriously, Sarah takes investigations into her own hands, meeting an assortment of Local People from the Local Village - there’s nothing for you here! The sisters’ chapters, Gemma’s in the recent past and Sarah’s as she’s investigating, converge to an action packed finale, with a twist I didn’t see coming.
This is a tightly written story, of mysterious people who keep to themselves, country myths, sisterhood, the true face of people, and the solving of a decades old mystery.
With thanks to NetGalley, ARC Books, and the author for an advance peek, and the knowledge I’ll never go hiking on the moors.
April 2, 2022
I don't have a lot to say about this book, so I'll keep this review short and to the point.
Based on the synopsis, I was expecting survivalist fiction. There's very little of that in this story, and it left me unsatisfied. I also didn't enjoy the plot and the pacing. The first half of the book dragged on. There was a great deal of backstory related to the sisters upbringing, falling out and current circumstances. I found both the perspectives of Gemma and Sarah to be quite tedious. Nothing of note happened for a very long time, but when it did it really went for the jugular. I was wondering if this story would take a supernatural angle since it incorporated the local legend of a giant fur creature. Loved that part! The townsfolk were also pretty interesting. They were like characters straight out of a horror movie and, despite the clichés, I did enjoy that element. The ending was, much like the beginning, not great. There were some continuity issues and the finale became convoluted.
I hate to be so negative about this book! I've read other review from people who really enjoyed. I feel like my expectations weren't met from the beginning, and it just killed my overall enjoyment of it going forward.
By all means give this book a read if you find the synopsis intriguing, just know going in that this isn't survivalist fiction.
Based on the synopsis, I was expecting survivalist fiction. There's very little of that in this story, and it left me unsatisfied. I also didn't enjoy the plot and the pacing. The first half of the book dragged on. There was a great deal of backstory related to the sisters upbringing, falling out and current circumstances. I found both the perspectives of Gemma and Sarah to be quite tedious. Nothing of note happened for a very long time, but when it did it really went for the jugular. I was wondering if this story would take a supernatural angle since it incorporated the local legend of a giant fur creature. Loved that part! The townsfolk were also pretty interesting. They were like characters straight out of a horror movie and, despite the clichés, I did enjoy that element. The ending was, much like the beginning, not great. There were some continuity issues and the finale became convoluted.
I hate to be so negative about this book! I've read other review from people who really enjoyed. I feel like my expectations weren't met from the beginning, and it just killed my overall enjoyment of it going forward.
By all means give this book a read if you find the synopsis intriguing, just know going in that this isn't survivalist fiction.
November 6, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Missing: When Gemma Kline is reported missing after setting off a solo hike in the remote Pennines, her sister, Sarah, is dumbfounded. How can someone disappear without trace?
Presumed: Travelling to the isolated town Gemma was last seen, Sarah discovers it's not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances.
Murdered: Whatever has happened to her sister, one thing is clear: this town has secrets someone would kill to keep.
This is an easy book to read that's filled with suspense. Sarah was estranged from her sister Gemma. The story is told from the sister's perspectives. Setin the Pennines, the eerie setting is atmospheric. The pace is on the slow side to begin with, but it soon picks up. we learn if the events leading up to Gemma's disappearance. My only criticism is that I can't understand why the book is called The Hiker as there wasn't really any hiking taking place.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #MJFord for my ARC of #TheHiker in exchange for an honest review.
Missing: When Gemma Kline is reported missing after setting off a solo hike in the remote Pennines, her sister, Sarah, is dumbfounded. How can someone disappear without trace?
Presumed: Travelling to the isolated town Gemma was last seen, Sarah discovers it's not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances.
Murdered: Whatever has happened to her sister, one thing is clear: this town has secrets someone would kill to keep.
This is an easy book to read that's filled with suspense. Sarah was estranged from her sister Gemma. The story is told from the sister's perspectives. Setin the Pennines, the eerie setting is atmospheric. The pace is on the slow side to begin with, but it soon picks up. we learn if the events leading up to Gemma's disappearance. My only criticism is that I can't understand why the book is called The Hiker as there wasn't really any hiking taking place.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #MJFord for my ARC of #TheHiker in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2022
What started off so promising soon fell flat and I was keen to escape the book like the characters are keen to escape the wilderness. As the plot continued, developments felt over-used and predictable, until the ending was prolonged and over-dramatised.
Throughout the read I was constantly puzzling over the title and now, even as I write this review, I cannot see the significance. It does not relate to the plot and I think there could have been less ambiguous titles to choose from. Without giving too much away, there are no specific walkers in the story and even the final revelations don’t really link to this title. I think the name of the book is quite misleading and I may not even have selected this book to read if the title had been more accurate.
The story alternates between between sisters, Gemma and Sarah, then and now, detailing how Gemma came to be missing in the wilderness. In present day, soon-to-be-wed Sarah is trying to follow clues to determine what happened to Gemma before her disappearance. With little obvious help from the police, Sarah is frustrated by the lack of support and seems to care little for her looming wedding day. I thought this quite surprising considering how the writer really labours the lack of relationship between the two characters; they have grown apart and fell out quite significantly at their mother’s funeral. In this timeline, I thought the story never really took off, being quite slow and plodding. On reflection, I guess this reflects the detached, isolated, rural way of life in such a small village in the middle of nowhere.
To begin with, it was Gemma’s story that was most intriguing. However, about half way through the story, I started to lose interest and thought that the developments were either unsurprising or far-fetched. I was impatient for Gemma’s story to truly get going and disliked her boyfriend for encouraging her into such a dangerous, hopeless situation. Gemma realises that what they are doing is not necessarily going to solve their financial problems and I fervently wished she would gain the strength to walk away from the situation. Of course, this does not happen.
By the time the story starts to explain itself, I was frustrated with how long it took to reach this point. The pace of the story did not thrill me or fill me with suspense. Whilst I enjoyed switching between the two sisters, I don’t think Ford necessarily conveys danger or fear in the narrative. Instead, it was more a plodding enquiry from an older sister who suddenly seems to care that her relation might be in trouble.
This was alright for a read but I was not blown away. Seeking something far more thrilling, this became quite a damp read – a bit like the misty weather on the mountains. Whilst the pathetic fallacy was effective, it was not enough to keep me fully invested in the narrative.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the read I was constantly puzzling over the title and now, even as I write this review, I cannot see the significance. It does not relate to the plot and I think there could have been less ambiguous titles to choose from. Without giving too much away, there are no specific walkers in the story and even the final revelations don’t really link to this title. I think the name of the book is quite misleading and I may not even have selected this book to read if the title had been more accurate.
The story alternates between between sisters, Gemma and Sarah, then and now, detailing how Gemma came to be missing in the wilderness. In present day, soon-to-be-wed Sarah is trying to follow clues to determine what happened to Gemma before her disappearance. With little obvious help from the police, Sarah is frustrated by the lack of support and seems to care little for her looming wedding day. I thought this quite surprising considering how the writer really labours the lack of relationship between the two characters; they have grown apart and fell out quite significantly at their mother’s funeral. In this timeline, I thought the story never really took off, being quite slow and plodding. On reflection, I guess this reflects the detached, isolated, rural way of life in such a small village in the middle of nowhere.
To begin with, it was Gemma’s story that was most intriguing. However, about half way through the story, I started to lose interest and thought that the developments were either unsurprising or far-fetched. I was impatient for Gemma’s story to truly get going and disliked her boyfriend for encouraging her into such a dangerous, hopeless situation. Gemma realises that what they are doing is not necessarily going to solve their financial problems and I fervently wished she would gain the strength to walk away from the situation. Of course, this does not happen.
By the time the story starts to explain itself, I was frustrated with how long it took to reach this point. The pace of the story did not thrill me or fill me with suspense. Whilst I enjoyed switching between the two sisters, I don’t think Ford necessarily conveys danger or fear in the narrative. Instead, it was more a plodding enquiry from an older sister who suddenly seems to care that her relation might be in trouble.
This was alright for a read but I was not blown away. Seeking something far more thrilling, this became quite a damp read – a bit like the misty weather on the mountains. Whilst the pathetic fallacy was effective, it was not enough to keep me fully invested in the narrative.
With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2022
The blurb was so misleading. Who was the hiker and as for the characters annoying, unlikable and as for the ending!!! Come off it I am an intelligent 66 year old woman. This book left me feeling flat and very disappointed. I just hope other readers will enjoy it more definitely not for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
December 20, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
This is my first time reading the work of M.J. Ford and "The Hiker" has guaranteed that I will be on the lookout for more by this author.
The pace was perfect, just fast enough that you wanted to keep reading and reading. The setting, a somewhat peculiar village in the Pennines in Northern England, was vividly described and, truth be told, just a tad unsettling - especially when the mist rolled in.
This is the tale of two sisters, both of whom are in their early thirties. The eldest, Sarah is a successful lawyer working in London who is to be married very soon. The youngest, Gemma, has always been a bit of a loser in life and has become estranged from her sister after a fallout at their mother's funeral. The girls had a dysfunctional upbringing, with a single mother who drank heavily.
When Gemma goes missing in the Pennines, Sarah travels north to help find her. Once there, Sarah finds many eccentric people and a story of another missing girl who vanished without trace sixteen years previously. Dubious characters, an old abandoned manor house, and some questionable police officers all add to the feeling of menace.
Alternate chapters give the point of view of Gemma, and the events that led up to her disappearance.
With a gripping narrative and a high-octane ending, this is a thriller that I can wholeheartedly recommend to all lovers of the genre.
This is my first time reading the work of M.J. Ford and "The Hiker" has guaranteed that I will be on the lookout for more by this author.
The pace was perfect, just fast enough that you wanted to keep reading and reading. The setting, a somewhat peculiar village in the Pennines in Northern England, was vividly described and, truth be told, just a tad unsettling - especially when the mist rolled in.
This is the tale of two sisters, both of whom are in their early thirties. The eldest, Sarah is a successful lawyer working in London who is to be married very soon. The youngest, Gemma, has always been a bit of a loser in life and has become estranged from her sister after a fallout at their mother's funeral. The girls had a dysfunctional upbringing, with a single mother who drank heavily.
When Gemma goes missing in the Pennines, Sarah travels north to help find her. Once there, Sarah finds many eccentric people and a story of another missing girl who vanished without trace sixteen years previously. Dubious characters, an old abandoned manor house, and some questionable police officers all add to the feeling of menace.
Alternate chapters give the point of view of Gemma, and the events that led up to her disappearance.
With a gripping narrative and a high-octane ending, this is a thriller that I can wholeheartedly recommend to all lovers of the genre.
March 27, 2022
This was a solid mystery. Two sisters that haven’t spoken in five years, but when one goes missing, the other doesn’t hesitate to go looking for her. When Sarah finds herself in a small town looking for Gemma, it doesn’t look like much of an investigation has begun. So Sarah starts asking questions, but in a small town not everyone is willing to help. As Sarah delves deeper things just don’t add up. This had good pacing with pov’s going back and forth between Sarah & Gemma. Definitely had me reading to find answers. Just a tad over the top with the ending but it worked.
November 4, 2022
This was a Psychological crime thriller. It’s about 2 missing females at different years but the same location. There was mystery and suspense. It’s told in dual POV that was past and present.
I enjoyed it and thought it was good. I didn’t want to put it down which is a bonus for my enjoyment level.
Thanks Avon via Netgalley
I enjoyed it and thought it was good. I didn’t want to put it down which is a bonus for my enjoyment level.
Thanks Avon via Netgalley
November 14, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up, enjoyable suspenseful read. Sisters Gemma and Sarah are estranged and haven’t spoken in years after a bitter argument at their mothers funeral. When the police come to Sarah’s work with concerns that Gemma is missing and her boyfriend is found dead in a horrific car crash Sarah needs to find her sister.
It appears Gemma visited a small hiking alpine area, she was last seen in the areas with plans to go hiking. It’s was a fun, suspenseful read. I loved the hiking outdoors element in this book and the anticipation of the stories of panthers and other mystical creatures on the hunt…..
It appears Gemma visited a small hiking alpine area, she was last seen in the areas with plans to go hiking. It’s was a fun, suspenseful read. I loved the hiking outdoors element in this book and the anticipation of the stories of panthers and other mystical creatures on the hunt…..
September 28, 2022
‘The police are here to see you.’
Sisters Gemma and Sarah Kline live very different lives. An argument over money after their mother’s funeral has left them estranged, although Sarah who is about to marry, has sent Gemma an invitation to her wedding. But a week before her planned wedding, Sarah is contacted by the police. Gemma is missing. She had been hiking in the remote Pennines and seems to have disappeared without a trace. Her boyfriend’s body is found in a burnt-out car.
Sarah travels from her home in London to the isolated town where Gemma was last seen. While some of the locals seem friendly, many are not. There is an abandoned estate nearby, and Sarah is told about exotic animals which were released into the wild. She is also told that Gemma is not the first young woman to go missing in the area.
The story shifts between Sarah and Gemma, enabling the reader to understand aspects of the story Sarah is unaware of. While Sarah finds many locals unhelpful (and some downright dangerous) she refuses to be deterred from finding answers.
As the story moves to its conclusion, there are two twists which I had not anticipated. One of the twists adds another dimension to the story. The second twist annoyed me (I thought it unnecessary), but it didn’t undermine my enjoyment of the main story.
I enjoyed the way in which Mr Ford ratcheted up the tension in this thriller: unforgiving country and unfriendly locals really set the scene.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sisters Gemma and Sarah Kline live very different lives. An argument over money after their mother’s funeral has left them estranged, although Sarah who is about to marry, has sent Gemma an invitation to her wedding. But a week before her planned wedding, Sarah is contacted by the police. Gemma is missing. She had been hiking in the remote Pennines and seems to have disappeared without a trace. Her boyfriend’s body is found in a burnt-out car.
Sarah travels from her home in London to the isolated town where Gemma was last seen. While some of the locals seem friendly, many are not. There is an abandoned estate nearby, and Sarah is told about exotic animals which were released into the wild. She is also told that Gemma is not the first young woman to go missing in the area.
The story shifts between Sarah and Gemma, enabling the reader to understand aspects of the story Sarah is unaware of. While Sarah finds many locals unhelpful (and some downright dangerous) she refuses to be deterred from finding answers.
As the story moves to its conclusion, there are two twists which I had not anticipated. One of the twists adds another dimension to the story. The second twist annoyed me (I thought it unnecessary), but it didn’t undermine my enjoyment of the main story.
I enjoyed the way in which Mr Ford ratcheted up the tension in this thriller: unforgiving country and unfriendly locals really set the scene.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 22, 2022
This was a good read that had me gripped from start to finish, even keeping me up wayyyyy passed my bed time to finish it, although in the spirit of being honest the start of the book was a tad too slow for my liking, but I am a speed reader for it probably wasn’t as slow for me as it will be for others. Overall I think this is a good crime thriller that most people will really enjoy reading! Can’t wait to grab a copy for my shelves.
July 29, 2022
Sarah is preparing for her wedding when she hears that her mostly estranged sister Gemma is missing. There are more questions than answers, so Sarah decides to visit the remote area Gemma was last seen to perhaps find out more. Against her fiance's wishes she leaves shortly before her wedding to a small remote town with a unique cast of characters! In town, Sarah learns about local lore and the mystery of another woman who was lost in the past. When Gemma's boyfriend's body is found in a burned car, Sarah knows there is more to this story. The question is, how can she find out more and who can she trust? If you like a quick little thriller, estranged family stories and small town mysteries, The Hiker is for you!
#TheHiker #MJFord #NetGalley #NetGalleybooks #Avonbooks
#TheHiker #MJFord #NetGalley #NetGalleybooks #Avonbooks
December 20, 2022
This mystery/thriller revolves around two estranged sisters, brought back together when the younger one, Gemma, goes missing on the Pennines and her sister Sarah puts her life, and imminent wedding on hold to seek answers.
I enjoyed this well written novel. The characters of the village and the remote setting were well handled and interesting. The links to the two sisters previous lives and the events that led to their current circumstances were well written, moved the plot along and held my interest. My one criticism was perhaps was around the ending, and the many twists that were perhaps one too many.
I will happily seek out read other works by this author.
I enjoyed this well written novel. The characters of the village and the remote setting were well handled and interesting. The links to the two sisters previous lives and the events that led to their current circumstances were well written, moved the plot along and held my interest. My one criticism was perhaps was around the ending, and the many twists that were perhaps one too many.
I will happily seek out read other works by this author.
December 20, 2022
Sisters Sarah & Gemma fall out at their mother's funeral & don't speak again for several years. As Sarah's wedding to boyfriend, Doug, draws closer she decides to send an invitation to her younger sister. When she doesn't receive a reply, she shrugs & gets on with her life as a solicitor specialising in divorce, but the week before her wedding, she receives a visit from two police officers who tell her that Gemma's boyfriend, Mark has been found dead in a burned out car, & that Gemma is missing.
Sarah can't tell them anything about Gemma's recent life, but when she gets home she sees that she received a postcard from Gemma a few days ago. To her boyfriend Doug's annoyance, Sarah decides to go to the area where the card was posted to see if anyone remembers her sister. Travelling to the north of England, Sarah starts to investigate her sister's disappearance much to the chagrin of the local police. She is told about a local legend about wildcats roaming the hills after they were set free from Brocklehurst Hall, a local stately home, now fallen into ruin & disrepair.
The narrative is told from Sarah's point of view now, & Gemma's point of view a few weeks previously. It was an interesting read but I found that the title is not really representative of what the book is about. I was expecting a 'missing hiker' story rather than one that concentrates on a blackmail plot, but it mainly works. The ending is a bit of surprise as in it takes off like a Harrier jump jet out of nowhere into a frenetic & slightly weird finale. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Avon Books UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Sarah can't tell them anything about Gemma's recent life, but when she gets home she sees that she received a postcard from Gemma a few days ago. To her boyfriend Doug's annoyance, Sarah decides to go to the area where the card was posted to see if anyone remembers her sister. Travelling to the north of England, Sarah starts to investigate her sister's disappearance much to the chagrin of the local police. She is told about a local legend about wildcats roaming the hills after they were set free from Brocklehurst Hall, a local stately home, now fallen into ruin & disrepair.
The narrative is told from Sarah's point of view now, & Gemma's point of view a few weeks previously. It was an interesting read but I found that the title is not really representative of what the book is about. I was expecting a 'missing hiker' story rather than one that concentrates on a blackmail plot, but it mainly works. The ending is a bit of surprise as in it takes off like a Harrier jump jet out of nowhere into a frenetic & slightly weird finale. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Avon Books UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
March 14, 2022
First off, this book was awesome, and definitely veered off into some unexpected craziness towards the end! Sarah and her sister, Gemma, haven't seen each other since their mother's funeral years ago when they had a terrible argument that left them estranged. But now shortly before her wedding, Sarah's contacted by the local police because Gemma is missing. Her boyfriend's body is found in a burnt up car near where they had been away on a hiking trip. That fact alone is suspicious to Sarah, as Gemma is the last person to spend her free time hiking, especially in a small town so far from her home. She soon realizes she can't ignore this situation, imminent wedding or not, and she leaves London to go search for her sister.
The local townspeople are anything but friendly and instead of answers, all Sarah hears are tales of abandoned estates and strange creatures roaming in the wilderness. It's because another girl named Alice went missing years ago, also apparently vanishing from the face of the earth when she was out for a walk. And she lived in that now-abandoned estate. Alice has never been found and Sarah fears that Gemma will meet the same fate. The local police seem more suspicious of Gemma than worried that she's in trouble and Sarah can't find anyone to take her claims seriously. But the deeper she digs into the local lore the more she's putting herself at risk. Will she find Gemma or will she become the next one to disappear?
The story is told from the point of view of both Sarah and Gemma, which helps the reader compare what they see in one narrative with the other. Plenty of discrepancies to found, that's for sure. The townspeople are all kinds of crazy and no one is who they seem to be. There's one surprise after another as the story reaches the conclusion and even though some details sound unbelievable, I find it plausible that in a town like this, with the history that it has, nothing is impossible.
The local townspeople are anything but friendly and instead of answers, all Sarah hears are tales of abandoned estates and strange creatures roaming in the wilderness. It's because another girl named Alice went missing years ago, also apparently vanishing from the face of the earth when she was out for a walk. And she lived in that now-abandoned estate. Alice has never been found and Sarah fears that Gemma will meet the same fate. The local police seem more suspicious of Gemma than worried that she's in trouble and Sarah can't find anyone to take her claims seriously. But the deeper she digs into the local lore the more she's putting herself at risk. Will she find Gemma or will she become the next one to disappear?
The story is told from the point of view of both Sarah and Gemma, which helps the reader compare what they see in one narrative with the other. Plenty of discrepancies to found, that's for sure. The townspeople are all kinds of crazy and no one is who they seem to be. There's one surprise after another as the story reaches the conclusion and even though some details sound unbelievable, I find it plausible that in a town like this, with the history that it has, nothing is impossible.
October 22, 2022
Finished reading: October 21st 2022
"He knew they were in a hole as well as she did. And no one was going to pull them out this time."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
March 24, 2022
“MISSING. When Gemma Kline is reported missing after setting off on a solo hike in the remote Pennines, her sister, Sarah, is dumbfounded. How can someone disappear without a trace?”
The description of the book reeled me in. Missing person. Hiking. Sounds mysterious and scenic and just the type of reading to hold my attention.
The prologue of the book raised my eyebrows. I was not sure if I was settling in to read a thriller or a supernatural horror book. Whichever it was, there was no backing out now.
Sarah Kline is a high-end divorce lawyer living her best life. She has a great career and in the final stages of planning her wedding. Life is good until the authorities show up at her office and inform her, her estranged sister Gemma is missing. Despite not having seen her sister in many years after a falling out, Gemma is still her sister and Sarah needs to find out what happened to her.
Leaving her fiancé Doug behind, she heads to Hartsbridge, a small town near where the body of Gemma’s boyfriend is suspected to be found deceased. It is also where Gemma sent a postcard from to Sarah.
The story goes back and forth from the sisters POV from the weeks leading up to Gemma’s disappearance and present time to Sarah’s personal investigation to finding her sister. There are quite a few characters in the book and there were a few stories happening at once. Near the end, I had them all sorted out but, in the beginning, did find I had to pay closer attention to who was who and how they were all linked together.
For the most part, the book flow was easy to follow. I did like how there was a bit of a creepy supernatural vibe to the story thanks to the townspeople and their folklore tale of a giant fur creature hiding in the wild. At times, I found myself caught up wondering if such a creature was behind everything happening!
The ending came fast and heart racing. The energy was infectious as I caught myself reading quicker to match the pace of the events.
Overall, an excellent crime thriller. The scenic description was great, the flow was just right and it held my attention from start to finish.
Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this great book!
The description of the book reeled me in. Missing person. Hiking. Sounds mysterious and scenic and just the type of reading to hold my attention.
The prologue of the book raised my eyebrows. I was not sure if I was settling in to read a thriller or a supernatural horror book. Whichever it was, there was no backing out now.
Sarah Kline is a high-end divorce lawyer living her best life. She has a great career and in the final stages of planning her wedding. Life is good until the authorities show up at her office and inform her, her estranged sister Gemma is missing. Despite not having seen her sister in many years after a falling out, Gemma is still her sister and Sarah needs to find out what happened to her.
Leaving her fiancé Doug behind, she heads to Hartsbridge, a small town near where the body of Gemma’s boyfriend is suspected to be found deceased. It is also where Gemma sent a postcard from to Sarah.
The story goes back and forth from the sisters POV from the weeks leading up to Gemma’s disappearance and present time to Sarah’s personal investigation to finding her sister. There are quite a few characters in the book and there were a few stories happening at once. Near the end, I had them all sorted out but, in the beginning, did find I had to pay closer attention to who was who and how they were all linked together.
For the most part, the book flow was easy to follow. I did like how there was a bit of a creepy supernatural vibe to the story thanks to the townspeople and their folklore tale of a giant fur creature hiding in the wild. At times, I found myself caught up wondering if such a creature was behind everything happening!
The ending came fast and heart racing. The energy was infectious as I caught myself reading quicker to match the pace of the events.
Overall, an excellent crime thriller. The scenic description was great, the flow was just right and it held my attention from start to finish.
Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this great book!
June 14, 2023
Not great but entertaining enough.
October 30, 2022
I found this book to be a little slow and to be honest I totally disagree with the blurb about the book, as well as the title. Gemma never was a “Hiker” as such and the synopsis is very misleading in my opinion, although it is well written in parts i couldn’t take to any of the characters and I found the ending messy and rather far fetched. Sorry not for me I’m afraid. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this early copy
November 4, 2022
This was a really entertaining book, and I read it in just a few sittings. In the whole it was well paced (there was a little dragging at about 2/4 Id say) but overall entertaining and with just the right amount of 'Oh my god!!' moments at the climax. Definitely some of the ideas and concepts were unique and stayed with me after reading.
November 14, 2022
‘In the Wilderness it’s Kill or be Killed’ - cover tag line.
My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Hiker’ by M.J. Ford.
I have read and enjoyed Ford’s Oxford-based police procedurals featuring DS Josie (Josephine) Masters. His latest is a standalone crime thriller primarily set in the Pennines.
Sarah Kline’s wedding is only a week away when she receives a visit from the police advising that her estranged sister, Gemma, has gone missing. She elects to travels to the isolated small town of Hartsbridge on the border between Northumberland and County Durham where Gemma was last seen.
She discovers that it’s not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances. Add to this the locals share chilling tales of dangerous creatures on the moors. No further details to avoid spoilers.
The chapters move between the sisters with Sarah’s chapters detailing her investigation into Gemma’s disappearance and Gemma’s chapters recounting the events that led her and boyfriend, Mark, to travel from Brighton to Hartsbridge.
Even though the time frame is kept quite tight in Sarah’s chapters, I did keep thinking about the countdown to her wedding day.
There was definitely some ‘An American Werewolf in London’ vibes to Hartsbridge, including the pub being named The Headless Woman and the locals sharing tales of mysterious happenings on moors.Yikes!
Overall, I found ‘The Hiker’ an engaging standalone thriller that evoked the chilling atmosphere of the moorlands.
My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Hiker’ by M.J. Ford.
I have read and enjoyed Ford’s Oxford-based police procedurals featuring DS Josie (Josephine) Masters. His latest is a standalone crime thriller primarily set in the Pennines.
Sarah Kline’s wedding is only a week away when she receives a visit from the police advising that her estranged sister, Gemma, has gone missing. She elects to travels to the isolated small town of Hartsbridge on the border between Northumberland and County Durham where Gemma was last seen.
She discovers that it’s not the first time a young woman has vanished from the hills in mysterious circumstances. Add to this the locals share chilling tales of dangerous creatures on the moors. No further details to avoid spoilers.
The chapters move between the sisters with Sarah’s chapters detailing her investigation into Gemma’s disappearance and Gemma’s chapters recounting the events that led her and boyfriend, Mark, to travel from Brighton to Hartsbridge.
Even though the time frame is kept quite tight in Sarah’s chapters, I did keep thinking about the countdown to her wedding day.
There was definitely some ‘An American Werewolf in London’ vibes to Hartsbridge, including the pub being named The Headless Woman and the locals sharing tales of mysterious happenings on moors.Yikes!
Overall, I found ‘The Hiker’ an engaging standalone thriller that evoked the chilling atmosphere of the moorlands.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews